Spotlight : in conversation with fashion photographer Vijit Gupta

Change is the only constant and as we near end of year and four years of the blog, we want to evolve, grow and write interesting content. We started the spotlight section a couple of years ago, sharing stories of Indian fashion designers. Being in the fashion industry now for four years and watching it from close quarters, we can confirm it is a team effort which makes a designer label and not just the designer. From stylists to photographers, to fashion writers, make up artists; they all come together to create magic you see at fashion week and editorials. So we are now expanding spotlight to chat and share stories of various roles and people in the fashion industry.

Kicking off the series with Vijit Gupta, fashion photographer who we met at fashion week and have seen his work evolve over the years. Here is tête-à-tête with Vijit.

Vijit Gupta

MN: Why Fashion?

VG: I was intrigued by the world of art and fashion. I see beauty in it and it excites me.

MN: Tells us your journey from Ahmedabad to being well known fashion photographer in Mumbai?

VG: I landed an internship at an ad agency (Lowe Lintas) right after college and moved to Bombay. After spending around 18 months as a client servicing trainee I realised I didn’t like it and went back home (Ahmedabad). My dad’s old camera got my attention and I started playing around. I took a basics workshop from NID(National Institute of Design) and contacted friends from the agency for assistant photographer jobs. That’s when I met Martin Prihoda and there has been no looking back.

Photo by Martin Prihoda

MN: What made you delve in photography? How and when did you know you want to pursue photography as a career?

VG: I always wanted to do something creative, be my own boss and be able to travel.

After doing the photography workshop, I moved to Bombay in 2010 to assist Martin Prihoda and saw the magic happen at one of his editorial shoots. that was it! I was sold.

Photo by Vijit Gupta

MN: Did you take up any project came your way or did you have a plan ?

VG: Initially, I did take up every project that came my way. I believed I could take it and make it my own…the only plan was to get better at what I was doing.

MN: Who is your inspiration and what have you learnt from their work?

VG: Prabuddha Dasgupta – I keep learning everyday, but Prabuddha’s work was deeply impactful and continues to be so.

Photo by Prabhuddha

MN: Did you study photography further/ or learned on your own?

VG: I owe all my knowledge, understanding of photography to Martin Prihoda. He has been my teacher and I continue to assist him on commercial projects. I’ve also been fortunate to learn from great photographers like Vikram Pathak, Signe Vilstrup and Mazen Abousrour to name a few. Other than that it’s pretty much been on my own.

Photo by Vijit Gupta

MN: What would you tell 18 year old Vijit? would you do it same all over again?

VG: Yes! totally…its been a roller coaster of a ride, but I wouldn’t want to change a thing.

MN: Favorite muse or someone you would love to work with?

VG: Lot of people i’d love to work with… but if I have to choose one Laxshmi Menon.